Electro-active Lens with Resistive Arcs

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface comprising and/or related to a tunable electro-optic lens device comprising a first substrate comprising a first electrode layer that comprises a first plurality of ring electrodes that form a first resistive divider network, and a second substrate comprising a second electrode layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential, feasible, and/or useful embodiments will bemore readily understood through the herein-provided, non-limiting,non-exhaustive description of certain exemplary embodiments, withreference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electro-active lens 1000;

FIG. 2 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 2000;

FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 3000;

FIG. 4 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 4000;

FIG. 5 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 5000;

FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 5000;

FIG. 7 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 7000;

FIG. 8 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 8000;

FIG. 9 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 9000;

FIG. 10 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 10000; and

FIG. 11 is a view of an exemplary electro-active device 11000.

Description

Electro-active lenses are optical devices that can modify the wavefrontof light in response to an electrical signal to form lenses that arevariable in optical power. Such lenses can utilize a birefringentmaterial such as liquid crystal (“LC”) to achieve gradients in theirindex of refraction. Designs for such LC lenses can be based on variousarchitectures such as kinoform relief patterns fabricated into, on,and/or with on a transparent substrate, lens-shaped cavities filled withvariable-index birefringent material, and/or patterned transparentelectrodes structures grown, deposited, applied, and/or etched onsubstrates. In the last example, substantially concentric, transparent,and/or ring-like electrodes, and/or linear electrodes for cylindricallenses, most commonly built using indium tin oxide (ITO) and/orsubstantially separated by gaps in the ITO and/or insulators, can beused to create a gradient in the electric field across a liquid crystallayer. This field can create a gradient in the index of refraction,which, if properly established, can result in lensing action in thedevice.

Increasing the number of electrodes in the device can give ahigh-resolution gradient index profile across the lens, and subsequentlycan produce a smoother wavefront of light, improving opticalperformance.

Yet increasing the number of electrodes in turn can make the device morecomplex, potentially necessitating finer features and/or more inputand/or powering and/or voltage source connections/conductors, which canbe opaque and/or reduce the optical performance of the devices. Apotential solution to this problem is significantly reducing the numberof voltage source connections compared to the number of electrodes, suchas by using resistive links to connect adjacent electrodes together,and/or distributing the voltage between two voltage source connectionsacross several electrodes discretely. Example resistive link designsappear in the following U.S. patent documents, each of which isincorporated herein both in its entirety and in those parts relevant todesigning, making, and using electro-active lenses generally and morespecifically, electrodes, voltage source connections, and resistivelinks: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,470,937; 7,532,303; 8,154,804; 9,280,020.

With certain resistive link designs, it can be challenging to providesufficiently high resistance between electrodes. Failure to providesufficient resistance between electrodes can degrade opticalperformance, which can be due to reduced discretization of the voltageprofile across electrodes. Increased cross-talk can be prevalent betweenvoltage source connections that power multiple electrodes. Cross-talkcan effectively lower the effective optical power and/or increase theelectrical power consumption of the device. Resistive links can, atleast indirectly, electrically connect voltage source connections toeach other, and hence there can be a substantial flow of current betweenthose voltage source connections. The higher the current flow, thegreater the energy needed to operate the device over a desired timeperiod. Increasing the resistance between electrodes can help mitigatethese challenges.

One possible approach is to use high resistance materials to linkelectrodes that are separated by insulators and/or gaps in the electrodematerial. However, this can add an additional layer to the liquidcrystal device, which can require further lithographic processing and/orthin film deposition, which in turn can increase manufacturingcomplexity and/or cost.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method of producing highresistance links in a single conductive layer by utilizing a specializedgeometry. In certain exemplary embodiments, the impact of the resistivelinks on the optical quality and/or wavefront distortion can beminimized by forming the resistive link as a thin “spiralesque” (definedherein) arc that is oriented substantially parallel to the structure ofneighboring and substantially concentric and/or ring-like electrodes, issubstantially parallel to a gap formed between those electrodes, is insubstantially the same plane as those electrodes, and/or substantiallyfills an area between overlapping portions of the gap between thoseelectrodes. Thus, along nearly any radius extending from an approximatecenter of an electrode layer and/or the electrodes to an outercircumference or perimeter of the liquid crystal lens, that radius cansubstantially perpendicularly intersect neighboring electrodes, a gapbetween those electrodes, and one or more spiralesque resistive arcsconnecting neighboring electrodes. Potentially depending on thedimensions of the overlapping portion of the gap between neighboringelectrodes, the dimensions of such a resistive arc design can besufficiently long, sufficiently thin, and/or sufficiently shallow toallow vastly increased resistance between electrodes, which can reducecross-talk and/or power consumption for the liquid crystal lens and/ordevice.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary substantially thin,circular, and/or disk-like electro-active lens 1000, and illustrates asubstantially transparent, electrically non-conductive, thin, circular,and/or disk-like substrate 1100 upon which substantially concentric,annular, ring-like, electrically conductive, and/or and/or electricallyresistive electrodes 1200, those electrodes 1200 separated bysubstantially concentric, annular, and/or ring-like electricallynon-conductive gaps and/or insulators 1300. Electrodes 1200 can beformed from ITO that has been deposited on substrate 1100. Gaps 1300 canbe formed by an absence of such ITO deposition, an etching away of ITOdown to substrate 1100, and/or deposition of an insulating material.FIG. 1 illustrates an orientation of an X-Y-Z coordinate system used inmost or all figures of this application, where substantially ring-likeelectrodes 1200 extend substantially in an X-Y extending plane, and arelayered in the Z direction upon substrate 1100.

FIG. 2 is a view, looking in the Z direction, at an exemplaryelectro-active device 2000, and showing (what appear to be at this levelof magnification) a plurality of ring-like electrodes 2200 that aresubstantially separated by (what appear to be at this level ofmagnification) a plurality of substantially ring-like non-conductivegaps 2300. Voltage supply connections 2700 are connected to certain onesof electrodes 2200. For example, voltage supply connections 2720, 2740,and 2760 are connected to electrodes 2220, 2240, and 2260, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, resistive arcs 2400are provided for a +1.00 diopter (“D”) lens with ⅛ wave for OPD (i.e.,“Optical Path Difference” and/or phase retardation) per electrode. Inthis example, resistive arcs 2400 are configured for a pitch of aquarter of a rotation. In this instance, there are four resistive arcs2400 between each input 2700, and therefore inputs 2700 aresubstantially parallel to each other. The design is not restricted bythis condition, and arcs 2400 can span any specified length from 1micron to 10 cm, or when described as an angular size, from 1 degree toa whole rotation or more, including any and every particular valueand/or sub-range therebetween (such as approximately: 5 degrees; 15degrees; 90 degrees; 180 degrees; 360 degrees, and 720 degrees, etc.).Note that the number of inputs 2700 can be from 2 to several hundred ormore, including every value therebetween (e.g., 4, 12, 24, 50, 100,etc.) To avoid electrical shorts, an insulating layer can be providedbetween the electrode layer and the inputs, with a given inputconnecting to its electrode through a hole or via in the insulatinglayer.

FIG. 3 is a view, looking in the Z direction, at an exemplaryelectro-active device 3000, and showing (what appear to be at this levelof magnification) a plurality of ring-like electrodes 3200 that aresubstantially separated by (what appear to be at this level ofmagnification) a plurality of substantially ring-like non-conductivegaps 3300. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates a voltage supply connection3700 and a spiralesque gap 3400 that has a non-overlapping portion 3410(partially visible in this view) and an overlapping portion 3420.

Providing a closer look at an exemplary spiralesque gap, FIG. 4 is aview, looking along the Z axis, of an exemplary electro-active device4000. Electrically conductive and/or resistive neighboring electrodes4110 and 4120 are substantially separated by gap 4400, which defines asingle-gap non-overlapping portion 4410 and a dual-gap overlappingportion 4420. Gap 4400 can be visualized as starting at beginningterminus 4430 and finishing at ending terminus 4440, and having anabrupt change in radius at location 4450. Overlapping portion 4420defines a (curved) overlap length 4490. Between the dual gaps ofoverlapping portion 4420 is a spiralesque arc 4500 having a (curved) arclength 4590. Arc 4500 can be formed from the same material asneighboring electrodes 4110 and 4120, and thus can provide a conductiveand/or resistive link between those electrodes that can allow a currentto flow from electrode 4110, through arc entry 4540, along the length4590 of arc 4500, around arc corner 4560, and out arc exit 4550 toelectrode 4120 and/or in the reverse direction. The longer the curvedlength 4490, the longer arc length 4590, and thus the larger theelectrical resistance provided by spiralesque arc 4500. Likewise, thecloser the dual gaps of overlapping portion 4420, the narrower arc 4500,and the larger the electrical resistance provided by spiralesque arc4500. Note that the change in radius of gap 4400 as it transitions fromnon-overlapping portion 4410 to overlapping portion 4420 can be abrupt,as shown at gap corner 4460, or more gradual, potentially occurring overany desired part (and up to the entire length) of non-overlappingportion 4410. Likewise, arc 4500 can have a substantially constantradius and/or can have disruptions and/or discontinuities, such as shownat arc corner 4560.

FIG. 5 is a view, looking in the Z direction, at an exemplaryelectro-active device 5000, and showing (what appear to be at this levelof magnification) a plurality of electrodes 5110 and 5120 that aresubstantially separated by (what appear to be at this level ofmagnification) a spiralesque gap 5400 having an overlapping portion thatspans several revolutions.

FIG. 6 is a zoomed view of zone B of FIG. 5, and showing exemplaryelectro-active device 5000, which comprises neighboring electrodes 5110and 5120 that are substantially separated by a spiralesque gap 5400having an overlapping 5420 portion that spans several revolutions, andthus appears to comprise three gap rings 5422, 5424, and 5426. Thegeometry of overlapping portion 5420 of gap 5400 substantially definesthe geometry of spiralesque arc 5500, at least in the X-Y plane. Thegeometry of spiralesque arc 5500 in the Z direction can be controlled bythe depth of electrode layer 5100. In this example, given the geometryof spiralesque arc 5500, current can flow from electrode 5110, througharc entrance 5550, along first radial portion 5555, around first corner5560, along first arc portion 5562, around second corner 5572, alongsecond radial portion 5574, around third corner 5576, along second arcportion 5564, around fourth corner 5582, along third radial portion5584, and out arc exit 5540 to electrode 5120. Note that gap width Wgcan be constant or can vary along gap 5400. Likewise, arc width Wa canbe constant or vary along arc 5500.

For example, FIG. 7 is a view, looking in the Z direction, of anexemplary electro-active device 7000. Electrically conductive and/orresistive neighboring electrodes 7110 and 7120 are substantiallyseparated by spiralesque gap 7400, which defines a substantiallyconstant arc width Wa at each location along spiralesque arc 7500. Incontrast, in FIG. 8, which is a view, looking in the Z direction, of anexemplary electro-active device 8000 that has electrically conductiveand/or resistive neighboring electrodes 8110 and 8120 are substantiallyseparated by spiralesque gap 8400. In this exemplary embodiment, arcwidth Wa varies at various locations along spiralesque arc 8500.

FIG. 9 is a view, looking in the Z direction, of a portion of anexemplary electro-active device 9000. Electrically conductive and/orresistive neighboring electrodes 9110 and 9120 are substantiallyseparated by spiralesque gap 9400, which varies in width from arelatively thin width Wg1 in the innermost revolution of gap 9400 to arelatively wide width Wg2 in the outermost revolution of gap 9400.

Thus generally, multiple spiralesque resistive arcs, each having adifferent average radius, can be “stacked” together, e.g., connected bya short length of the same resistive arc material that is oriented atnearly any desired rotational angle, can produce spiralesque resistivearcs of multiple rotations around the electrode, ranging from a singlerotation to two rotations, to even 10 or more rotations, including everyvalue and sub-range therebetween.

Such spiralesque resistive arcs can have a considerable length. Ingeneral, everything else being equal, the greater the length of aspiralesque resistive arc, for a given arc width, the higher itseffective resistance. In other words, a high ratio of length to widthproduces a higher resistance.

In the case of certain exemplary spiralesque resistive arcs comprising asingle rotation about the inner radius of the electrode, the limitingfactor of their length is the circumference of the electrode, which canbe several orders of magnitude larger than the width of the arc (thatis, the co-planar dimension that is perpendicular to the length and/ordirection of the arc at any given point along the arc). This length canbe further increased by the facilitation of resistive arcs consisting ofsubsequent further rotations (and/or a partial rotation) around theinner radius of the electrode, whereby the maximum length is defined byboth the number of rotations, which is restricted by the width of theelectrode, and the circumference of the electrode.

An exemplary feature size of a gap between electrodes can beapproximately 1.5 microns, yet the range of gap and/or resistive arcwidths can be between 0.1 microns to 10 microns, including any and everyvalue and sub-range therebetween (such as 0.242, 0.50, 0.7673, 1.0,1.22, and 1.43 microns). The electrodes, gaps, and/or resistive arcs canbe formed via, for example, lithography, etching, printing (e.g., ofconductive polymers), self-assembly, lift-off, laser ablation, and/orany other method of thin film patterning. When lithography is used, itcan involve proximity lithography, contact lithography, projectionlithography, interference lithography, maskless lithography,electron-beam lithography, and/or another other lithographic techniques.When etching is used, it can involve wet (liquid based) etching and/ordry (plasma based) etching.

In some embodiments, the resistance of each arc can be equal betweeneach electrode connected. In this case, an alternative method ofselecting the length of the resistive arcs can ensure that the length ofeach arc connection is consistent, rather than preserving angular size(e.g., in contrast to the example shown in FIG. 2, where a 90-degreesegment is used for each connection). Instead, an arc of uniform lengthcan be used for each resistive arc to ensure that the resistance isuniform between each electrode.

The spiralesque nature of a spiralesque resistive arc can minimize thedistortion to the wavefront by the electro-active device. The voltage ina spiralesque resistive arc region along the length (direction oftravel) of the arc can vary between the voltage of the two connectedelectrodes. Therefore, the refractive index in the arc region can varybetween the refractive index of each of the two electrode regions beingconnected by the arc, and hence can cause minimal disruption to thewavefront profile. The etched regions of the conductive material formingthe arc can experience fringing fields from the electrodes and/or theresistive arc, which can minimize disruption.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary electro-active device10000, which can comprise a cylindrical lens 10100, a lens surface10150, and/or a plurality of substantially rectangular electrodes 10200that are separated by substantially rectangular gaps (and/or insulators)10300. Over and/or within any given gap 10300 can be a substantiallyrectangular and/or linear resistive link 10400.

FIG. 11 is a view an exemplary electro-active device 11000. In this casethe electrodes are straight rectangles, and are used to form acylindrical lens with linear electrodes. In a similar manner to the maindesign, several electrodes are connected together with resistiveconnectors to reduce the number on inputs. It is fabricated using thesame method as the concentric ring electrodes (i.e. lithography andetching etc.). In this case, the long resistive connections are notorientated axially, as there isn't a circular geometry, but the bridgesare orientated parallel to the linear electrodes, so there is more spacefor them compared to if they were connected perpendicular to theelectrodes. The thing that links this to the spiralesque bridges, isthat in both instances, the resistive connections are parallel to thegap between two electrodes, which allows a far greater length to be usedfor the connections, which increases resistance, and improves optics.

Definitions

When the following phrases are used substantively herein, theaccompanying definitions apply. These phrases and definitions arepresented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, theright to redefine these phrases via amendment during the prosecution ofthis application or any application claiming priority hereto isreserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent thatclaims priority hereto, each definition in that patent functions as aclear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of thatdefinition.

-   -   a—at least one.    -   aberration—one or more limitations and/or defects in an optical        component, such as a lens and/or mirror, that is contacted by a        plurality of light rays, such limitations and/or defects        preventing the light rays from converging at one focus and        potentially due to, e.g., the optical component comprising one        or more surfaces that are not perfectly planar, such as one or        more spherical surfaces.    -   about—around and/or approximately.    -   above—at a higher level.    -   across—from one side to another.    -   activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion        thereof.    -   adapt—to design, make, set up, arrange, shape, configure, and/or        make suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation.    -   adapter—a device used to effect operative compatibility between        different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system.    -   adjacent—in close proximity to, near, next to, adjoining,        neighboring, contiguous, and/or within a horizontal radius of        approximately 0 mm to approximately 10 mm, including all values        and subranges therebetween.    -   after—following in time and/or subsequent to.    -   align—to adjust substantially into a proper orientation and/or        location with respect to another thing.    -   along—through, on, beside, over, in line with, and/or parallel        to the length and/or direction of; and/or from one end to the        other of.    -   amplitude—a magnitude of a variable.    -   and—in conjunction with.    -   and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to.    -   any—one, some, every, and/or all without specification.    -   apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose.    -   applied—incident directly and/or indirectly upon.    -   apply—to put to, on, and/or into action and/or service; to        implement; and/or to bring into contact with something.    -   approximately—about and/or nearly the same as.    -   arc—something shaped like a curve or arch and/or a segment of a        circle, oval, or spiral.    -   arc length—the distance traveled along the full extent of an        arc.    -   arc depth—the dimension of an arc measured perpendicular to the        arc length and to the arc width at any given location along the        arc.    -   arc width—the co-planar dimension of an arc measured        perpendicular to the arc length at any given location along the        arc.    -   are—to exist.    -   around—about, surrounding, and/or on substantially all sides of;        and/or approximately.    -   as long as—if and/or since.    -   associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate.    -   at—in, on, and/or near.    -   at least—not less than, and possibly more than.    -   axis—a straight line about which a body and/or geometric object        rotates and/or can be conceived to rotate and/or a center line        to which parts of a structure and/or body can be referred.    -   based on—indicating one or more factors that affect a        determination, but not necessarily foreclosing additional        factors that might affect that determination.    -   be—to exist in actuality.    -   beam of light—a projection of light radiating from a source.    -   being—is and/or the state or quality of having existence.    -   between—in a separating interval and/or intermediate to.    -   border—to be located and/or positioned adjacent to an outer        edge, surface, and/or extent of an object.    -   bound—(n) a boundary, limit, and/or further extent of; (v) to        limit an extent.    -   by—via and/or with the use and/or help of    -   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.    -   cause—to bring about, provoke, precipitate, produce, elicit, be        the reason for, result in, and/or effect.    -   circuit—a physical system comprising, depending on context: an        electrically conductive pathway, an information transmission        mechanism, and/or a communications connection, the pathway,        mechanism, and/or connection established via a switching device        (such as a switch, relay, transistor, and/or logic gate, etc.);        and/or an electrically conductive pathway, an information        transmission mechanism, and/or a communications connection, the        pathway, mechanism, and/or connection established across two or        more switching devices comprised by a network and between        corresponding end systems connected to, but not comprised by the        network.    -   co-incident—occupying the same area in space, happening at the        same time, and/or matching point for point.    -   co-planar—substantially sharing a common plane.    -   coil—(n) a continuous loop comprising two or more turns of        electrically conductive material; and/or a conductor that        creates a magnetic field due to the flow of current therein; (v)        to roll and/or form into a configuration having a substantially        spiraled cross-section.    -   complete—to provide required and/or requested information.    -   composition of matter—a combination, reaction product, compound,        mixture, formulation, material, and/or composite formed by a        human and/or automation from two or more substances and/or        elements.    -   comprising—including but not limited to.    -   concave—a surface of an object such that for any pair of points        on the surface, any point on the straight line segment that        joins the pair of points is over or outside the object; and/or        an object having major surfaces that curve inward, such as the        inner surface of a sphere or circle.    -   concentric—having a common central axis.    -   conductor—an electrically conductive material and/or component        adapted to apply a voltage to an electro-active material.    -   configure—to design, arrange, set up, shape, and/or make        suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation.    -   configured to—designed, arranged, set up, shaped, and/or made        suitable and/or fit for a specific purpose, function, use,        and/or situation, and/or having a structure that, during        operation, will perform the indicated activity(ies). To the        extent relevant to the current application, the use of        “configured to” is expressly not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §        112(f) for that structure.    -   connect—to join or fasten together.    -   connected—physically linked.    -   connection—a tangible link.    -   contact—to physically touch and/or come together.    -   containing—including but not limited to.    -   contiguous—neighboring and/or adjacent.    -   continuous—in a manner substantially uninterrupted in time,        sequence, substance, and/or extent, and/or substantially without        cessation.    -   control—(n) a mechanical or electronic device used to operate a        machine within predetermined limits; (v) to exercise        authoritative and/or dominating influence over, cause to act in        a predetermined manner, direct, adjust to a requirement, and/or        regulate.    -   convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change.    -   convex—an object having major surfaces that bulge and/or curve        outward, such as the exterior surface of a sphere or circle.    -   cooperate—to work and/or act together toward a common end and/or        purpose.    -   corresponding—related, associated, accompanying, similar in        purpose and/or position, conforming in every respect, and/or        equivalent and/or agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude,        quality, and/or degree.    -   coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked        together.    -   coupling—linking in some fashion.    -   cover—(n) a substantially planar object configured to protect        and/or conceal; (v) to overlay, place upon and/or over.    -   create—to make, form, produce, generate, bring into being,        and/or cause to exist.    -   dedicate—to commit and/or give entirely to a particular use,        activity, cause, and/or entity.    -   define—to establish the meaning, relationship, outline, form,        and/or structure of; and/or to precisely and/or distinctly        describe and/or specify.    -   degree—a measure of arcs and plane angles and representing 1/360        of a full rotation.    -   deposit—to put, lay, place, position, and/or set down; and/or to        fasten, fix, and/or secure.    -   derive—to receive, obtain, and/or produce from a source and/or        origin.    -   determine—to find out, obtain, calculate, decide, deduce,        ascertain, and/or come to a decision, typically by        investigation, reasoning, and/or calculation.    -   device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof.    -   direction—a spatial relation between something and a course        along which it points and/or moves; a distance independent        relationship between two points in space that specifies the        position of either with respect to the other; and/or a        relationship by which the alignment and/or orientation of any        position with respect to any other position is established.    -   diverge—to go or extend in different directions from a common        point.    -   divide—to subject (a number) to the process of division.    -   each—every one of a group considered individually.    -   edge—a periphery, border, and/or boundary.    -   effective—sufficient to bring about, provoke, elicit, and/or        cause.    -   electric—powered by electricity.    -   electrical—relating to producing, distributing, and/or operating        by electricity.    -   electrical energy—energy characterized by, and/or adapted to        cause, a flow of electric charge through a conductor.    -   electrically—of, relating to, producing, or operated by        electricity.    -   electrically coupled—connected in a manner adapted to allow a        flow of electricity therebetween.    -   electro-active—a branch of technology concerning the interaction        between various properties and electrical and/or electronic        states of materials and/or involving components, devices,        systems, and/or processes that operate by modifying the certain        properties of a material by applying to it an electrical and/or        magnetic field. Sub-branches of this technology include, but are        not limited to, electro-optics.    -   electro-active device—a device that integrates and/or utilizes        an electro-active element, such as a pair of spectacles, pair of        sunglasses, ophthalmic lens, monocle, corrective lens, contact        lens, intra-ocular lens, inlay, onlay, retinal display, medical        device, optical instrument (e.g., interferometer, photometer,        polarimeter, reflectometer, refractometer, spectrometer,        monochromator, autocollimator, vertometer, DNA sequencer, and/or        surface plasmon resonance-based instrument), polarization        controller, display, video display (e.g., CRT, LCD, LED, PDP,        DLP, OLED, AMOLED, OLET, SED, FED, quantum dot, IMOD, DMS, MEMS,        FLCD, TDEL, TDP, and/or LPD display), non-video display, 3D        display (e.g., swept-volume, vari-focal mirror, emissive volume,        laser, holographic, and/or light field display), static display,        electronic paper, augmented, virtual, and/or mixed reality        display, head-mounted display, heads-up display, flat panel        display, computer display, television display, laser TV, laser,        laser scanner, laser pointer, lantern, flashlight, lamp,        lightbulb, lighting, MEMS device, MOEMS device, micro-optics        device, watch, smart watch, calculator, phone, smartphone, image        sensor, still camera, video camera, webcam, non-visible light        device (e.g., infrared, UV, and/or X-ray device, etc.),        projector (e.g., slide, video, movie, cinema, and/or handheld        projector), instrument panel, guidance system, security system,        optical disc system, optical fiber system, sign, mirror,        micromirror, trough, reflector, telescope, magnifier, periscope,        microscope, eyepiece, a pair of binoculars, monocular, and/or        lens (e.g., microlens, lenticular, refractive, diffractive,        spherical, aspherical, holographic, achromatic, gradient index,        axicon, super, flat, cylindrical, and/or Fresnel lens), prism,        modulator (e.g.,, phase, frequency, amplitude, and/or        polarization modulator), deflector, diode, transducer, sensor,        actuator, and/or adaptive optic, etc.    -   electro-active element—a component that utilizes an        electro-active effect, such as an electro-active filter,        reflector, lens, shutter, liquid crystal retarder, active (i.e.,        non-passive) polarity filter, electro-active element that is        movable via an electro-active actuator, and/or conventional lens        movable by an electro-active actuator.    -   electro-optic—a branch of technology concerning the interaction        between the electromagnetic (optical) and the electrical        (electronic) states of materials and/or involving components,        devices, systems, and/or processes that operate by modifying the        optical properties of a material by applying to it an electrical        field.    -   electrode—an electrically conducting element that emits and/or        collects electrons and/or ions and/or controls their movement by        means of an electric field applied to it.    -   emanate—to emit, radiate, and/or shine.    -   embodiment—an implementation, manifestation, and/or concrete        representation.    -   energy—usable heat or power, and/or the capacity of a body        and/or system to do work, and/or a measurable physical quantity,        with dimensions equivalent and/or convertible to mass times        velocity squared, that is conserved for an isolated system.    -   estimate—(n) a calculated value approximating an actual        value; (v) to calculate and/or determine approximately and/or        tentatively.    -   etch—to wear away the surface of material (such as a metal,        glass, etc.) by chemical action, such as the action of an acid.    -   exemplary—serving as an example, instance, and/or illustration.    -   extend—to reach spatially outward and/or to move out and/or away        from.    -   extending—existing, located, placed, and/or stretched        lengthwise.    -   extension—an addition, portion, and/or element that increases        the area, influence, operation, and/or contents of something.    -   external—relating to, existing on, and/or connected with the        outside or an outer part; exterior.    -   eye—an organ of vision and/or light sensitivity; and/or either        of a pair of hollow structures located in bony sockets of the        skull, functioning together or independently, each having a lens        capable of focusing incident light on an internal photosensitive        retina from which nerve impulses are sent to the brain.    -   field—a region of space characterized by a physical property,        such as gravitational or electromagnetic force or fluid        pressure, having a determinable value at every point in the        region.    -   first—a label for a referenced element in one or more patent        claims, but that label does not necessarily imply any type of        ordering to how that element (or any other elements of a similar        type) is implemented in embodiments of the claimed subject        matter.    -   flat—having a substantially planar major face, a smooth even        surface, substantially no projections and/or depressions, and/or        a relatively broad level surface in relation to thickness or        depth.    -   for—with a purpose of    -   form—(v) to construct, build, generate, and/or create; (n) a        phase, structure, and/or appearance.    -   from—used to indicate a source, origin, and/or location thereof.    -   further—in addition.    -   gap—an electrical discontinuity and/or interruption in        continuity, such as a space (area, volume, filled with air        and/or a substantially electrically insulating material, and/or        a space not containing an electrically conducting material,        and/or a space between objects, and/or a break, opening, cleft,        gulf, rift, space, recess, interval, and/or difference between        two items and/or objects.    -   generate—to create, produce, give rise to, and/or bring into        existence;    -   and/or to produce electrical power.    -   given—specified and/or fixed.    -   gradient—a rate of change with respect to distance of a variable        quantity.    -   having—including but not limited to.    -   illuminate—to provide and/or brighten with light.    -   impinge—to collide and/or strike.    -   including—including but not limited to.    -   index of refraction—a measure of the extent to which a substance        slows down light waves passing through it. The index of        refraction of a substance is equal to the ratio of the velocity        of light in a vacuum to its speed in that substance. Its value        determines the extent to which light is refracted when entering        or leaving the substance.    -   indium tin oxide—a solid solution of indium(III) oxide (In2O3)        and tin(IV) oxide (SnO2), typically 90% In2O3, 10% SnO2 by        weight, that is typically transparent and colorless in thin        layers and can serve as a metal-like mirror in the infrared        region of the electro-magnetic spectrum. It is a widely used        transparent conducting oxide due to its electrical conductivity        and optical transparency. Thin films of indium tin oxide are        most commonly deposited on surfaces by electron beam        evaporation, physical vapor deposition, and/or a range of        sputter deposition techniques.    -   individually—of or relating to a distinct entity.    -   initialize—to prepare something for use and/or some future        event.    -   input—a conductor linked to a voltage source.    -   install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use.    -   insulate—to resist heat flow and/or current flow.    -   insulating—having a substantial resistance to the flow of        electrical current.    -   into—to a condition, state, or form of    -   is—to exist in actuality.    -   lack—a particular deficiency and/or absence.    -   layer—a continuous and relatively thin material, region,        stratum, course, lamina, coating, and/or sheet having one or        more functions. Need not have a constant thickness.    -   length—a longest dimension of something and/or the measurement        of the extent of something along its greatest dimension.    -   lens—a piece of transparent substance, often glass and/or        plastic, having two opposite surfaces either both curved or one        curved and one plane, used in an optical device for changing the        convergence and/or focal point of light rays; an optical device        for changing the convergence and/or focal point of light rays;        and/or an optical device that transmits light, refracts light,        and/or is adapted to cause the light to concentrate and/or        diverge. A lens can be an ophthalmic lens, such as a spectacle        lens, an intra ocular lens, and/or a contact lens.    -   lenslet—one of several lenses forming a substantially planar        array.    -   less than—having a measurably smaller magnitude and/or degree as        compared to something else.    -   light—electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength within a        range of approximately 300 nanometers to approximately 1000        nanometers, including any and all values and subranges        therebetween, such as from approximately 400 to approximately        700 nm, from the near infrared through the long wavelength, far        infrared, and/or from the ultraviolet to X-rays and/or gamma        rays.    -   light source—a device adapted to emit light responsive to an        applied electrical current.    -   line—an electrical conductor and/or a geometric figure formed by        a point moving along a fixed direction and the reverse        direction.    -   liquid—a body of matter that exhibits a characteristic readiness        to flow, little or no tendency to disperse, and relatively high        incompressibility, including pumpable and/or flowable slurries        and/or suspensions.    -   liquid crystal—any of various liquids in which the atoms or        molecules are regularly arrayed in either one dimension or two        dimensions, the order giving rise to optical properties, such as        anisotropic scattering, associated with the crystals.    -   locate—to place, set, find, and/or situate in a particular spot,        region, and/or position.    -   longitudinal—of and/or relating to a length; placed and/or        running lengthwise.    -   longitudinal axis—a straight line defined parallel to an        object's length and passing through a centroid of the object.    -   match—to mirror, resemble, harmonize, fit, correspond, and/or        determine a correspondence between, two or more values,        entities, and/or groups of entities.    -   material—a substance and/or composition.    -   may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some        embodiments.    -   method—one or more acts that are performed upon subject matter        to be transformed to a different state or thing and/or are tied        to a particular apparatus, said one or more acts not a        fundamental principal and not pre-empting all uses of a        fundamental principal.    -   micron—A unit of length equal to a thousandth part of a        millimeter or a millionth of a meter.    -   mm—millimeter.    -   more—a quantifier meaning greater in size, amount, extent,        and/or degree.    -   near—a distance of less than approximately [X].    -   no—an absence of and/or lacking any.    -   non-destructively—to perform substantially without damaging.    -   non-overlapping—not extending over or covering a part of    -   not—a negation of something and/or in no way.    -   offset—in a location near to but distinguishable from a given        point or area.    -   one—being and/or amounting to a single unit, individual, and/or        entire thing, item, and/or object.    -   operable—practicable and/or fit, ready, and/or configured to be        put into its intended use and/or service.    -   operative—when in operation for its intended use and/or service.    -   operatively—in a manner able to function and/or to work.    -   ophthalmic—of and/or relating to the eye.    -   opposing—opposite; against; being the other of two complementary        or mutually exclusive things; placed or located opposite, in        contrast, in counterbalance, and/or across from something else        and/or from each other.    -   opposite—facing away from.    -   optical—of or relating to light, sight, and/or a visual        representation.    -   optically edge-less—substantially lacking an ability to bend        light due to interaction of the light with a discontinuity        and/or edge.    -   or—a conjunction used to indicate alternatives, typically        appearing only before the last item in a group of alternative        items.    -   outside—beyond a range, boundary, and/or limit; and/or not        within.    -   overlap—to extend over and/or cover a part of.    -   pair—a set of two items.    -   parallel—of, relating to, and/or designating lines, curves,        planes, and/or surfaces everywhere equidistant and/or an        arrangement of components in an electrical circuit that splits        an electrical current into two or more paths.    -   path—a route along which current can flow.    -   pattern—a characteristic form.    -   per—for each and/or by means of.    -   perceptible—capable of being perceived by the human senses.    -   perpendicular—intersecting at or forming substantially right        angles; and/or substantially at a right angle with respect to an        axis.    -   phase—a relationship in time between successive states and/or        cycles of an oscillating and/or repeating system (such as an        alternating electric current, one or more light waves, and/or a        sound wave) and: a fixed reference point; the states of another        system; and/or the cycles of another system.    -   photolithography—a process whereby metallic foils, fluidic        circuits, and/or printed circuits can be created by exposing a        photosensitive substrate to a pattern, such as a predesigned        structural pattern and/or a circuit pattern, and chemically        etching away either the exposed or unexposed portion of the        substrate.    -   photon—a particle representing a quantum of light and/or other        electromagnetic radiation, the particle having zero rest mass        and carrying energy proportional to the frequency of the        radiation.    -   physical—tangible, real, and/or actual.    -   physically—existing, happening, occurring, acting, and/or        operating in a manner that is tangible, real, and/or actual.    -   planar—shaped as a substantially flat two-dimensional surface.    -   plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.    -   pocket—a container that at least partially encloses its        contents.    -   point—(n.) a defined physical and/or logical location in at        least a two-dimensional system and/or an element in a        geometrically described set and/or a measurement or        representation of a measurement having a time coordinate and a        non-time coordinate. (v.) to indicate a position and/or        direction of.    -   portion—a part, component, section, percentage, ratio, and/or        quantity that is less than a larger whole. Can be visually,        physically, and/or virtually distinguishable and/or        non-distinguishable.    -   position—to put in place or position.    -   power—energy, a measure of energy and/or work, and/or a rate at        which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit        time and commonly measured in units such as watt and horsepower        and/or a measure of an ability of a vision system, eye, lens,        and/or lens-assisted eye, to refract, magnify, separate,        converge, and/or diverge; and/or a general term that may refer        to any power such as effective, equivalent, dioptric, focal,        refractive, surface, and/or vergence power.    -   power supply—a source of electrical power.    -   pre-—a prefix that precedes an activity that has occurred        beforehand and/or in advance.    -   predetermine—to determine, decide, and/or establish in advance.    -   prevent—to hinder, avert, and/or keep from occurring.    -   prior—before and/or preceding in time or order.    -   probability—a quantitative representation of a likelihood of an        occurrence.    -   product—something produced by human and/or mechanical effort.    -   project—to calculate, estimate, or predict.    -   proportional—having a ratio that is approximately constant.    -   provide—to furnish, supply, give, convey, send, and/or make        available.    -   radial—pertaining to that which radiates from and/or converges        to a common center and/or has or is characterized by parts so        arranged or so radiating.    -   radially—in a manner that radiates from and/or converges to a        common center, having or characterized by parts so arranged or        so radiating, and/or moving and/or directed along a radius.    -   range—a measure of an extent of a set of values and/or an amount        and/or extent of variation.    -   ratio—a relationship between two quantities expressed as a        quotient of one divided by the other.    -   receive—to get as a signal, take, acquire, and/or obtain.    -   recommend—to suggest, praise, commend, and/or endorse.    -   reduce—to make and/or become lesser and/or smaller.    -   remove—to eliminate, remove, and/or delete, and/or to move from        a place or position occupied.    -   repeat—to do again and/or perform again.    -   repeatedly—again and again; repetitively.    -   request—to express a desire for and/or ask for.    -   resistance—a measure of a voltage drop across a resistor,        typically having units of Ohms.    -   resistive divider network—a group of resistive entities that are        electrically connected in a manner that each provides a        corresponding voltage drop when supplied with electrical        current.    -   resistor—a two-terminal electronic component that opposes an        electric current by producing a voltage drop between the two        terminals in accordance with Ohm's law.    -   result—(n.) an outcome and/or consequence of a particular        action, operation, and/or course; (v.) to cause an outcome        and/or consequence of a particular action, operation, and/or        course.    -   revolution—a turning or rotational motion about an axis and/or a        single complete cycle of such orbital or axial motion.    -   ring—a substantially toroidal object that can be imagined as        having been generated by rotating a closed loop (e.g., ellipse,        circle, irregular curve, polygon, etc.) about a fixed line        external to the loop.    -   rotational—about and/or around an axis.    -   said—when used in a system or device claim, an article        indicating a subsequent claim term that has been previously        introduced.    -   second—a label for an element in one or more patent claims, the        element other than a “first” referenced element of a similar        type, but the label does not necessarily imply any type of        ordering to how that “second” element or the “first” element is        implemented in embodiments of the claimed subject matter.    -   select—to make a choice or selection from alternatives.    -   separate—(n) distinct; (v) to disunite, space, set, or keep        apart and/or to be positioned intermediate to.    -   separated—not touching and/or spaced apart by something.    -   set—a related plurality of predetermined elements; and/or one or        more distinct items and/or entities having a specific common        property or properties.    -   silicon dioxide—a.k.a., “silica”; a white or colorless vitreous        insoluble solid (SiO2); various forms occur widely in the        earth's crust as e.g., quartz, cristobalite, tridymite,        lechatelierite, etc.    -   solid angle—a three-dimensional angle, formed by three or more        planes intersecting at a common point. Its magnitude is measured        in steradians, a unitless measure. The corner of a room forms a        solid angle, as does the apex of a cone; one can imagine an        indefinite number of planes forming the smooth round surface of        the cone all intersecting at the apex. Solid angles are commonly        used in photometry.    -   span—to extend across in space or time.    -   species—a class of individuals and/or objects grouped by virtue        of their common attributes and assigned a common name; a        division subordinate to a genus.    -   spherical—of, relating to, and/or having a shape approximating        that of a sphere.    -   spherical lens—a lens whose surfaces form portions of spheres.    -   spiral—a path of a point in a plane moving around a central        point while, on average, receding from or approaching it. When        considering a spiral that generally recedes from the central        point, for a given rotation about the central point, the spiral        need not have a continuously increasing radius from the central        point, however, each successive turn will have an increasing        radius. Thus, a portion of a spiral can be linear and/or        curvilinear.    -   spiralesque—any of a family of substantially two-dimensional        shapes, each member of that family having from some to complete        resemblance to a true and substantially two-dimensional        geometric spiral, yet a given member need not emerge from a        center point (e.g., can begin at an endpoint of a predetermined        radius from that center point), need not have an infinite length        (e.g., can resemble a portion of such a shape), need not        continuously change in radius along its length (e.g., at some        point along its length can experience a step or steep change in        radius, followed by a constant and/or unchanging radius,        potentially followed by another step or steep change in radius,        etc.), need not be formed from a continuous curve (e.g., can be        formed from any number of line segments), need not have a        constant width (e.g., can have a changing and/or variable width        from one rotation to the next and/or one point to another along        the shape), and/or need not have a constant depth (i.e., in the        third and/or Z dimension) (e.g., can have a changing and/or        variable depth or thickness along its length).    -   store—to place, hold, and/or retain data, typically in a memory.    -   strip—a relatively long piece, usually of substantially uniform        width.    -   structure—that which is complexly constructed, a manner in which        components are organized and/or form a whole, and/or a device.    -   substantially—to a great extent and/or degree.    -   substrate—an underlying material, region, base, stratum, course,        lamina, coating, and/or sheet.    -   sufficiently—to a degree necessary to achieve a predetermined        result.    -   support—to bear the weight of, especially from below.    -   surface—the outer boundary of an object and/or a material layer        constituting and/or resembling such a boundary.    -   switch—(v) to: form, open, and/or close one or more circuits;        form, complete, and/or break an electrical and/or informational        path; select a path and/or circuit from a plurality of available        paths and/or circuits; and/or establish a connection between        disparate transmission path segments in a network (or between        networks); (n) a physical device, such as a mechanical,        electrical, and/or electronic device, that is adapted to switch.    -   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles        of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the        collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.    -   terminating—ending.    -   that—used as the subject or object of a relative clause.    -   thereto—to that.    -   through—across, among, between, and/or in one side and out the        opposite and/or another side of    -   to—a preposition adapted for use for expressing purpose.    -   transform—to change in measurable: form, appearance, nature,        and/or character.    -   transmit—to send as a signal, provide, furnish, and/or supply.    -   transparent—clear; characterized by conveying incident light        without reflecting or absorbing a substantial portion of that        light; and/or having the property of transmitting rays of light        through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind        can be distinctly seen.    -   treatment—an act, manner, or method of handling and/or dealing        with someone and/or something.    -   tunable—adjustable or adaptable to meet specific requirements        and/or conditions.    -   two—a cardinal number equal to one plus one.    -   unique—existing as the only one, having no equal, and/or        distinctive in some attribute.    -   unique—separate and distinct.    -   upon—immediately or very soon after; and/or on the occasion of.    -   use—to put into service.    -   variable—(n) a property, parameter, and/or characteristic        capable of assuming any of an associated set of values. (adj)        likely to change and/or vary; subject to variation; and/or        changeable.    -   variable-focus—having the quality of adjustable focus in a        single specified optic.    -   vary—to change, alter, and/or modify one or more characteristics        and/or attributes of    -   via—by way of and/or utilizing; (n) an electrical connection        between layers in a physical electronic circuit that goes        through the plane of one or more adjacent layers.    -   voltage—(a.k.a., “potential difference” and “electro-motive        force” (EMF)) a difference in electrical potential between any        two conductors of an electrical circuit and/or a quantity,        expressed as a signed number of Volts (V), and measured as a        signed difference between two points in an electrical circuit        which, when divided by the resistance in Ohms between those        points, gives the current flowing between those points in        Amperes, according to Ohm's Law.    -   wavefront—a surface containing points affected in substantially        the same way by a wave at a substantially predetermined time.    -   weight—a force with which a body is attracted to Earth or        another celestial body, equal to the product of the object's        mass and the acceleration of gravity; and/or a factor and/or        value assigned to a number in a computation, such as in        determining an average, to make the number's effect on the        computation reflect its importance, significance, preference,        impact, etc.    -   when—at a time and/or during the time at which.    -   wherein—in regard to which; and; and/or in addition to.    -   width—a measurement of the extent of something: along an, often        substantially horizontal, dimension; from side to side; and/or        orthogonal to length and thickness.    -   with—accompanied by.    -   with regard to—about, regarding, relative to, and/or in relation        to.    -   with respect to—about, regarding, relative to, and/or in        relation to.    -   within—inside the limits of.    -   zone—a region and/or volume having at least one predetermined        boundary.

Note

Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplaryembodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein,textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known tothe inventor(s), for implementing the claimed subject matter by personshaving ordinary skill in the art. References herein to “in oneembodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or the like do not necessarily refer tothe same embodiment.

Any of numerous possible variations (e.g., modifications, augmentations,embellishments, refinements, and/or enhancements, etc.), details (e.g.,species, aspects, nuances, and/or elaborations, etc.), and/orequivalents (e.g., substitutions, replacements, combinations, and/oralternatives, etc.) of one or more embodiments described herein mightbecome apparent upon reading this document to a person having ordinaryskill in the art, relying upon his/her expertise and/or knowledge of theentirety of the art and without exercising undue experimentation. Theinventor(s) expects any person having ordinary skill in the art, afterobtaining authorization from the inventor(s), to implement suchvariations, details, and/or equivalents as appropriate, and theinventor(s) therefore intends for the claimed subject matter to bepracticed other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, aspermitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers allvariations, details, and equivalents of that claimed subject matter.Moreover, as permitted by law, every combination of the herein describedcharacteristics, functions, activities, substances, and/or structuralelements, and all possible variations, details, and equivalents thereof,is encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearlyindicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwiseclearly unsuitable, inoperable, or contradicted by context.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or moreembodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimedsubject matter unless otherwise stated. No language herein should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential tothe practice of the claimed subject matter.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field,background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) ofthis document, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as viaexplicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted bycontext, with respect to any claim, whether of this document and/or anyclaim of any document claiming priority hereto, and whether originallypresented or otherwise:

-   -   there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular        described characteristic, function, activity, substance, or        structural element, for any particular sequence of activities,        for any particular combination of substances, or for any        particular interrelationship of elements;    -   no described characteristic, function, activity, substance, or        structural element is “essential”; and    -   within, among, and between any described embodiments:        -   any two or more described substances can be mixed, combined,            reacted, separated, and/or segregated;        -   any described characteristic, function, activity, substance,            component, and/or structural element, or any combination            thereof, can be specifically included, duplicated, excluded,            combined, reordered, reconfigured, integrated, and/or            segregated;        -   any described interrelationship, sequence, and/or dependence            between any described characteristics, functions,            activities, substances, components, and/or structural            elements can be omitted, changed, varied, and/or reordered;        -   any described activity can be performed manually,            semi-automatically, and/or automatically;        -   any described activity can be repeated, performed by            multiple entities, and/or performed in multiple            jurisdictions.

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referentsin the context of describing various embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context.

The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are tobe construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but notlimited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly statedotherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges ofvalues herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and eachseparate sub-range defined by such separate values is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. Forexample, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes allvalues therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179,8.9999, etc., and includes all sub-ranges therebetween, such as forexample, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc., even if those specificvalues or specific sub-ranges are not explicitly stated.

When any phrase (i.e., one or more words) appearing in a claim isfollowed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number isexemplary and non-limiting on claim scope.

No claim or claim element of this document is intended to invoke 35 USC112(f) unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, UnitedStates patent application, book, article, web page, etc.) that has beenincorporated by reference herein, is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety to its fullest enabling extent permitted by law yet only tothe extent that no conflict exists between such information and theother definitions, statements, and/or drawings set forth herein. In theevent of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalidany claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflictinginformation in such material is specifically not incorporated byreference herein. Any specific information in any portion of anymaterial that has been incorporated by reference herein that identifies,criticizes, or compares to any prior art is not incorporated byreference herein.

Applicant intends that each claim presented herein and at any pointduring the prosecution of this application, and in any application thatclaims priority hereto, defines a distinct patentable invention and thatthe scope of that invention must change commensurately if and as thescope of that claim changes during its prosecution. Thus, within thisdocument, and during prosecution of any patent application relatedhereto, any reference to any claimed subject matter is intended toreference the precise language of the then-pending claimed subjectmatter at that particular point in time only.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary,description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this document, otherthan the claims themselves and any provided definitions of the phrasesused therein, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive. The scope of subject matter protected by any claim of anypatent that issues based on this document is defined and limited only bythe precise language of that claim (and all legal equivalents thereof)and any provided definition of any phrase used in that claim, asinformed by the context of this document when reasonably interpreted bya person having ordinary skill in the relevant art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tunable electro-optic lens device comprising: afirst transparent substrate comprising a transparent conductive firstelectrode layer operatively connected thereto, the first electrode layerbeing patterned and comprising a first plurality of substantiallyconcentric ring electrodes that form a first resistive divider network;a second transparent substrate comprising a transparent conductivesecond electrode layer operatively connected thereto; and anelectro-active liquid crystal material layer located between the firsttransparent substrate and the second transparent substrate; wherein: afirst ring electrode from the first plurality of ring electrodes iselectrically connected to a substantially adjacent ring electrode fromthe first plurality of ring electrodes by a substantially co-planarfirst resistive arc that electrically spans a gap overlap zone definedby a spiralesque insulating gap that substantially separates the firstring electrode from the adjacent ring electrode; the spiralesqueinsulating gap extends more than one revolution, and less than tworevolutions, substantially around a rotational axis of the at least onering electrode to define the gap overlap zone; the gap overlap zonedefines a gap overlap zone arc length and a gap overlap zone width; thegap overlap zone arc length defines a length of the first resistive arcand the gap overlap zone width defines a width of the first resistivearc; the first resistive arc defines a resistive path through the gapoverlap zone; and a first sub-plurality of continuous ring electrodesfrom the first plurality of continuous ring electrodes is connected to afirst input connection, the first input connection terminating an inputline.
 2. The tunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: aresistance created by the first resistive arc is proportional to thelength of the first resistive arc divided by the width of the firstresistive arc;
 3. The tunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1,wherein: the electro-optic lens device is tunable from a first opticalpower to a second optical power when a first voltage is applied to thefirst input connection.
 4. The tunable electro-optic lens device ofclaim 1, wherein: the second electrode layer is not patterned.
 5. Thetunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the secondelectrode layer is patterned and comprises a second plurality of ringelectrodes that form a second resistive divider network.
 6. The tunableelectro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the first electrode layercomprises a plurality of sets of ring electrodes, each set comprising acorresponding plurality of ring electrodes.
 7. The tunable electro-opticlens device of claim 1, wherein: the first electrode layer comprises aplurality of sets of ring electrodes, wherein: each set comprises acorresponding plurality of ring electrodes; a dedicated input connectionis provided for each set; and a dedicated resistive arc is providedbetween each adjacent pair of ring electrodes in each set.
 8. Thetunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the firstelectrode layer comprises a plurality of sets of ring electrodes,wherein: each set comprises a corresponding plurality of ringelectrodes; a dedicated input connection is provided for each set eachset is adapted to be individually controlled; and a dedicated resistivearc is provided between each adjacent pair of ring electrodes in eachset.
 9. The tunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: atleast one ring electrode on the second transparent substrate completelycovers in a planar direction at least two co-planar ring electrodes ofthe first transparent substrate.
 10. The tunable electro-optic lensdevice of claim 1, wherein: the first electrode layer is adapted tocreate an index of refraction gradient in the electro-active liquidcrystal material layer.
 11. The tunable electro-optic lens device ofclaim 1, wherein: the first electrode layer is adapted to electricallycooperate with the second transparent conductive electrode layer togenerate an electric field.
 12. The tunable electro-optic lens device ofclaim 1, wherein: the first electrode layer and the second electrodelayer are adapted to electrically cooperate to generate an electricfield across the electro-active liquid crystal material layer.
 13. Thetunable electro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the firstelectrode layer and the second electrode layer are adapted toelectrically cooperate to generate a radially varying electric fieldacross the electro-active liquid crystal material layer.
 14. The tunableelectro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the first electrode layerand the second electrode layer are adapted to electrically cooperate togenerate a radial gradient in an index of refraction in theelectro-active liquid crystal material layer.
 15. The tunableelectro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the first electrodestructure is adapted to form a spherical lens.
 16. The tunableelectro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: for each of the ringelectrodes from the first plurality of substantially concentric ringelectrodes, applying a predetermined voltage, an amplitude of thepredetermined voltage unique to each of the ring electrodes from thefirst plurality of ring electrodes.
 17. The tunable electro-optic lensdevice of claim 1, wherein: the spiralesque insulating gap extends morethan two revolutions substantially around the rotational axis of the atleast one ring electrode.
 18. The tunable electro-optic lens device ofclaim 1, wherein: the spiralesque insulating gap extends between onerevolution and ten revolutions substantially around the rotational axisof the at least one ring electrode.
 19. The tunable electro-optic lensdevice of claim 1, wherein: the gap overlap length extends fromapproximately 1 degree to approximately 360 degrees.
 20. The tunableelectro-optic lens device of claim 1, wherein: the gap overlap lengthextends more than 360 degrees.
 21. The tunable electro-optic lens deviceof claim 1, wherein: a width of the first resistive arc is betweenapproximately 0.1 microns and approximately 10 microns.